We were very pleased to hear last month that we will remain in the Arts Council's National Portfolio for 2018-22. As Arts Council England (ACE) Chair Nick Serota commented regarding organisations within the portfolio, "(they) are all leaders in their field, pushing the bar higher, and showing what artistic ambition means...they are standard bearers for ACE's aspiration in relation to arts and culture in this country."

We certainly have some lofty ambitions for the years ahead, extending our reach geographically and diversely. Primarily, we aim to make our offer to artists through our co|Create programme a deeper and more accessible and inspiring programme and really concentrate on the artistic practice and methodology of socially engaged art that can inspire and equip artists to work in the complex and ever-turbulent social arenas of today. We are always looking to collaborate with artists and organisations so if you have an idea you would like to explore with us, a training or support need, or an idea that needs incubating, come and talk to us and we can support you in the best way we can.

We congratulate all those new companies to the National Portfolio, those that have worked so hard to remain in it, and our genuine thoughts are with those who have missed out. We are surprised that we remain the solitary NPO in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES). We are aware, as many are, of the exemplary work carried out by arts, cultural and heritage organisations in our area and we hope that B&NES' new commissioning strands that will be introduced in the autumn will further support this high quality work.

As part of our co|Create programme we ran a highly impactful Art of Fundraising workshop last week that was facilitated by professional fundraiser Jo Byron, with contributions from artist Rebecca Swindell, Peter Salt, Arts Officer for B&NES whose expertise and nuggets of advice were very well received, and Ruth Kapadia from ACE. Ruth explained ACE's strategic aims and went in detail into the process of how to apply to Grants for the Arts, their fund that is most suitable for individual artists and organisations outside the NPO. I would conclude that her advice for B&NES organisations and individuals is to be bold, be brave, be ambitious and always approach ACE in the first instance to talk through your idea with them. ACE South West office is in Bristol, so it's not too far to go!

On Thursday 31st Aug from 6pm we will be having a networking event in Bath so please do keep this date free if you would like to come and meet Creativity Works staff and other artists and organisations who have a shared interest. The focus of this networking event will be collaboration and we hope that you will meet at least one, maybe many more, possible collaborators for the future. There may even be a little bit of seed money on offer to the most promising couple! Arrgh, sounds like Love Island, but I promise it wont be!

Philippa Forsey our Creative Wellbeing Manager presented at the recent Culture, Health & Wellbeing conference last month and has written a piece about the experience and key points.

"Everything is connected, the answer is culture and community"

Paul Dieppe

The Culture, Health and Wellbeing International Conference 2017, held in Bristol in June, was an inspiring and confirming event.
Meeting to dialogue with so many creative and health practitioners from around the world felt very supportive whilst showing many ways that the arts can reach out to people and bring multiple benefits to the lives of individuals and communities.

Duncan Selby from Public Health England talked about health being about the whole of life - what matters to people rather than what happens to them. Recognising that life choices, events, income and employment play a part in Wellbeing it is also about relationships, caring, belonging and 'social connectedness' and reasons to get up in the morning.

Creativity Works presented at the conference alongside our volunteers Lynda Tweedie and Tom Cook and University of Bath researchers Justin Rogers and Megan Robb. We spoke about the findings of our research into the impact of creativity on peer led groups. The subject opened up some interesting conversations and we met other peer led organisations including one run by Eva Okwonga who runs peer led groups through her projects for 'Music In Mind' just outside London.

Lord Howarth spoke about the launch of the APPG Report (All Party Parliamentary Report) which will be published on the 19th July. He also spoke about the importance of mutuality, integrity and solidarity in the work we do underpinned by values of imagination, creativity and being social where the body and soul can be nourished together. He would like to see a national strategic centre for the advancement of arts, health and wellbeing. This

would include a network of artists, clinicians, health and social care staff, patients and service users and could inform the development of integrated policy, evaluation & research along with training to inform public discussions about the management of long-term conditions.

The Big Debate on 'What is Creativity?' With Bobby Baker, Dr Theo Stickley, Val Huet and Dr Toby Young provoked some interesting discussions with agreement that the arts are about self and transformation and also about meeting others and discovering something new. It's about taking risks and experiencing unintended consequences and developing resilience whilst having opportunities to feel connected and valued.

Paul Dieppe, Emeritus Professor of Exeter University, reminded us that health and wellbeing had little to do with traditional medicine and more to do with social networks
'Everything is connected, the answer is culture and community'. He also said that
'the arts has the potential to help people flourish together.'

B&NES Creative Wellbeing Groups

Writing Space

Writing Space is a creative peer support group for anyone who has some experience of writing and would like to meet with others in a friendly informal group to develop and share ideas. You don't have to be a published writer! This group is fun and welcoming to all and is suitable for anyone that would like to support their wellbeing through creativity.

Writing Space will be working with artist facilitator Roz Mascall over the coming few weeks to develop ideas.

If you interested in joining this group please book a place with Philippa at Creativity Works: philippa@creativityworks.org.uk 01761 438852

Textiles: Get Creative Crafts for Wellbeing

Boost confidence, experiment, share and learn creative textile techniques in a small supportive group. SGet Creative Crafts for Wellbeing is a group that meets weekly to socialise, create and develop projects.
Come and share ideas and develop your skills. No previous experience is necessary. Suitable for B&NES residents who would like to support their wellbeing through creativity.

We run a highly regarded Training and Development Programme in Socially Engaged Arts for Artists at all stages of their careers and
have an exciting mix of events and training planned for the year.

Creative Speed Networking

Date: Thursday 31st August

Time: 18.00 - 20.00

Location: Bath (Venue tbc)

Cost: £5

Come and join us for a fun and friendly networking event where you will have the opportunity to meet Creativity Works staff and other artists from the area. This event will focus on collaboration and we will engage in a speed-dating type exercise where we hope you will have stimulating exchanges and find inspiring collaborators.

There will be a small amount of money on offer to the most exciting idea to emerge from the evening to enable future meetings and exchange of ideas.

Do come along, have a drink, meet new people, be inspired and keep yourself up-to-date with the absorbing work of fellow artists and organisations.

Book your ticket today!

Monthly Mental Health Training Talks

One hour lectures followed by an hours discussion with medical colleagues.

Are you looking to expand your skills and make a real and lasting difference in B&NES?

Help make a positive difference and join our board

Based in Radstock just outside of Bath, Creativity Works are focused on the power of creativity and artistic engagement to improve communities, health and wellbeing. We offer specialist training to artists through our co|Create programme, design place-making programmes to support developing local communities, and run outstanding artistic projects.

So why should you join us? We are at a pivotal time of change as an organisation - our ambitions for 2018-22 are to:

Further develop an enterprise based model to our work

Develop an MA in Socially Engaged Arts

Relocate to a new building to grow our work and the organisation.

We are looking to expand our trustee base and are particularly looking for trustees with a strong background in finance, law, HR, IT, enterprise or property acquisition.

The Board meets 6 times per year and is a friendly and committed team. This opportunity offers a chance to broaden your skills and continuing professional development as well as the possibility to undertake training in new areas and make a real difference to communities in Bath & North East Somerset and beyond.

To apply please send a letter outlining your interest and a CV to our Chair Louise Lappin-Cook:
louiselappincook@gmail.com by the 31th July 2017.

It's good to know that I'm a small part of something that has such a huge positive impact

for the participants we work with

Exiting Trustee, 2017

Creativity Works Upcoming Events

FreshArt@ Exhibition

FreshArt@ Exhibition

South Corridor, RUH, Bath

New artwork created for the walls of Swallows Therapy Rooms, Paulton Hospital by participants on the creative wellbeing programme and inspired by workshops within the Holburne Museum, No 1 Royal Crescent and the American Museum supported by AWP, Creativity Works and Virgin Care.